Selecting spatial frames of reference for visual target localization

This study examined the selection of spatial frames of reference for target localization in visual search. Participants searched for local target characters in global character configurations. The local targets could be localized relative to the character configuration in which they were embedded or relative to the presentation screen on which the configurations were displayed. We investigated under which conditions the configurations, or the screen served as frame of reference for target localization. Three experiments revealed an increasing impact of screen-related target localization with decreasing spatial uncertainty of targets in screen-related coordinates. The results indicate the capability of the visual system to localize relevant visual stimuli with respect to those frames of reference that yield the most redundant spatial distribution of these stimuli.